Procedures, diagnostics and tests carried out at Bristol Heart
Institute

ECG

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to record
the electrical activity that accompanies each stage of a heartbeat.
This tracing is useful in diagnosing many heart conditions. It
requires placement of electrodes connected by stickers to the
skin of the chest. During an ECG, the patient should
not feel any pain or discomfort.

CT

Computerised tomography (CT).
This is a key screening test using X ray to assess your suitability
for TAVI procedure. A CT scan produces multiple images of the heart
from different angles, which the doctor can then see on a computer
screen.

MAYBE an image of a CT Aorta would be
good

Coronary angiogram

This is when a small tube is inserted into your
radial or femoral artery and images are taken of your heart
arteries. The main purpose is to assess the state of your coronary
arteries.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

You have been diagnosed with a condition called
aortic stenosis - narrowing of the aortic valve. Your cardiologist
has decided that you may benefit from having your valve
replaced.

Conventionally, aortic valve replacement was
performed using open heart surgery. However, increasingly, a more
minimally invasive approach is recommended in patients who have an
increased operative risk. This new method of treatment is called
transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

The heart team at the Bristol Heart Institute (a
cardiologist and cardiothoracic surgeon) have discussed your case
and recommended TAVI rather than conventional open heart
surgery.

Mitraclip

The MitraClip is indicated for the percutaneous reduction
of significant symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) due to
primary abnormality of the mitral apparatus ( degenerative
MR. The team includes a cardiac surgeon experienced in mitral valve
surgery and a cardiologist experienced in mitral valve disease.

The MitraClip system is a catheter-based device which can reduce
mitral regurgitation without the need for open heart surgery. It is
indicated for use in patients who are at unacceptably risk from
conventional mitral valve repair or replacement.

Procedures, diagnostics and tests carried out at Bristol Heart
Institute

ECG

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to record
the electrical activity that accompanies each stage of a heartbeat.
This tracing is useful in diagnosing many heart conditions. It
requires placement of electrodes connected by stickers to the
skin of the chest. During an ECG, the patient should
not feel any pain or discomfort.

CT

Computerised tomography (CT).
This is a key screening test using X ray to assess your suitability
for TAVI procedure. A CT scan produces multiple images of the heart
from different angles, which the doctor can then see on a computer
screen.

MAYBE an image of a CT Aorta would be
good

Coronary angiogram

This is when a small tube is inserted into your
radial or femoral artery and images are taken of your heart
arteries. The main purpose is to assess the state of your coronary
arteries.